We will be officially commemorating Earth Day next Saturday (April 27) at 10:00 a.m. Bring your gloves, trash bags and rakes and we’ll be cleaning up the Canco Woods!

After the snow melts, it leaves behind all the debris built up over the season so it’s time for a good spring cleaning! And just a reminder – the Woods need to be kept free of yard refuse too, so please don’t dump your grass, leaves and branches and of course any other trash!

Hard to believe, but it was just one year ago that I was driving home from work on Canco Road, and was shocked to see the For Sale sign in the woods! My sister, Kaia and I immediately contacted our closest neighbors, and anyone we could think of – the City, the Land Bank, Portland Trails, and the Back Cove Association. And from there, it all began!

So many people, hundreds really, ultimately became involved with the effort to save the Woods, that we can’t thank them all here, but I’d like to mention a few of the founding members who immediately jumped in without hesitation. Todd and Erin, who were the first to join in, and plastered the area with flyers alerting the neighborhood, Tobin, and Ben and Victoria for taking a leadership role in fundraising, and eventually contacting the Trust for Public Land (without whom we could not have done this), and Jacki for her expert advice around City and conservation issues. Of course, many more people joined in, helping to organize events, fundraising, including going door to door, creating a video, allowing themselves to be interviewed by the media, and so much more.

As we all enjoy walking through the Woods (or skiing and snowshoeing right now!) please take a moment to remember the tremendous efforts of all who helped preserve this precious land!

It is with great pride that we announce that the Canco Woods property has closed and all documents have been recorded at the registry – the land is preserved! As announced in a press release on Friday, The Trust for Public Land bought the property from the Iberdrola USA Foundation (parent company of Central ME Power) and conveyed the property to the City of Portland subject to a conservation easement to be held by Portland Trails.

We have raised the amount necessary to close on the property by the deadline, however, we still do have to complete the fundraising, as a portion of the money we’re raising is to be used for stewardship of the land. Portland Trails is the Woods’ easement holder and the money will be placed in trust for them to use to take care of the Woods. So please help us to finish the campaign and raise the final $10,000.

And finally, eternal thanks to everyone who donated, and put countless hours of time into preserving these woods! From all the friends and neighbors who gave anywhere from $10 to thousands, to the Trust for Public Land (without whom we couldn’t have done this), to the City of Portland’s Land Bank and City Council, especially Cheryl Leeman, to the folks at Central Maine Power/Iberdrola whose final gift made this possible, and to Portland Trails who will steward the land in the future – we all owe them our thanks!

As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

And if you would like to keep abreast of what’s going on with the Woods, you can “like” us on Facebook or follow us here.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we hope to see you out enjoying the Woods!

We’re thrilled to say that we are coming very close to being able to raise the full amount to purchase and create a stewardship fund for Portland Trails to manage the land in the future! Right now, we only have $8906 left to raise, and we hope to be able to close this Friday!

This card in the image shown, was created by a young lady who lives in the neighborhood and loves to play in the woods (she was featured in the video). This image pretty much says it all – we’re preserving these woods for the children and our future. Please help us achieve that goal! You can donate here: http://www.razoo.com/story/The-Campaign-To-Save-Canco-Woods

or contact the Trust for Public Land at http://friendsofcancowoods.org/contact/